Michelle and I are deeply saddened by the passing of Richard Holbrooke, a true giant of American foreign policy who has made America stronger, safer, and more respected. He was a truly unique figure who will be remembered for his tireless diplomacy, love of country, and pursuit of peace.

For nearly 50 years, Richard served the country he loved with honor and distinction. He worked as a young foreign service officer during the Vietnam War and then supported the Paris peace talks which ended that war. As a young Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, he helped normalize relations with China. As U.S. Ambassador to Germany, he helped Europe emerge from a long Cold War and encouraged NATO to welcome new members.FULL POST

WASHINGTON (CNN) – President Obama made a statement in the White House Brady Press Briefing Room after Obama and Republicans received enough votes to clear a procedural hurdle in the Senate that would allow voting to continue on the tax and benefits package for senators delayed by inclement weather.

"I recognize that folks on both sides of the political spectrum are unhappy with certain parts of the package, and I understand those concerns. I share some of them," he said. "But that's the nature of compromise - sacrificing something that each of us cares about to move forward on what matters to all of us."

"Taken as a whole, the bill that the Senate will allow to proceed does some very good things for America’s economy and the American people," Obama said.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – A new hot tub was one of the many gift suggestions given to first lady Michelle Obama today after she read to young patients at Children’s National Medical Center.

Mrs. Obama read “The Night Before Christmas” to the group and then took questions from the audience, including what she would be giving the president for Christmas. The first lady jokingly replied that she couldn't tell because it would no longer be a secret and she still had to figure out which list President Obama is on.

"I’m not going to tell you because it’s going to be in the paper tomorrow, and then he’s going to read it, and then it won’t be a surprise," she said. "But first I have to see whether he’s been naughty or nice. I’ve been trying to figure that out."

At one point she asked the kids for Christmas gift ideas for the president. Their responses: candy, a watch, a new suit, and a new hot tub.

Washington (CNN) - President Barack Obama will remain in Washington for as long as Congress stays in session, and that likely means later than the scheduled start of his Christmas break, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said Monday.

Saturday is supposed to be the start of the Senate's Christmas recess and the day Obama and the first family head for Hawaii.

However, Gibbs told reporters that a Saturday departure appears unlikely.

"I think the Senate is going to be in longer than this week," he said, adding that Obama will stay in Washington for "as long as the Congress is here."

WASHINGTON (CNN) - President Barack Obama signed a sweeping overhaul of child nutrition standards Monday, enacting a law meant to encourage better
eating habits in part by giving the federal government more authority to set standards for food sold in vending machines and elsewhere on school grounds.

Among other things, the $4.5 billion measure provides more money to poor areas to subsidize free meals and requires schools to abide by health guidelines drafted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. To help offset the higher cost of including more fruits and vegetables, the bill increases the reimbursement rate for school lunches.FULL POST

WASHINGTON (CNN) - As the Senate takes up the compromise he reached with Republicans to extend the Bush era tax cuts on Monday, President Obama will sit down for interviews with four local television stations from across the country to press for quick passage in Congress.

Obama will be interviewed by reporters from stations in Columbus, Ohio, Denver, Des Moines, and Tampa/St. Petersburg.

The White House says the president will also highlight other aspects of the agreement including the continuation of unemployment insurance, and other investments the White House believes will lead to job creation and economic growth.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Senators are expected to open debate on the tax compromise reached by President Barack Obama and Republicans Monday, but House Democrats will likely try to change the deal, one of their leaders said.

Rep. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, who heads the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, told reporters that the package will get a vote in the House despite a threat by House Democrats last week to prevent it from reaching the floor.

"What form the bill comes to the floor in is something that's under
discussion and debate," Van Hollen said, later adding that the House "will have an opportunity to work its will, but there will be, as I say, discussions as to the form it takes when it arrives for that vote."FULL POST

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OTR

Category: Thing

Some presidential movements are OTR, or off-the-record, to the public and press until the president's motorcade arrives at the previously undisclosed location.